World Kidney Day: Expert recommends pragmatic ways to fight disease

Professor Owonala Lanre, a Nephrologist, has advised the Federal Government and Nigerians to adopt pragmatic ways to fight increasing rate of kidney disease in the country.

Owonala, the Chief Medical Director of Olive Square Hospital in Benin, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Benin, as the world marks the 2019 World Kidney Day (WKD).

The day raises awareness of the high and increasing burden of kidney diseases worldwide.

The day celebrated every March 14 and the theme for 2019 is: “Kidney Health for Everyone Everywhere’’.

Owonala said: “This year, the World Kidney Day campaign aims to achieve kidney health for everyone, everywhere.

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“With point-of-care testing, primary healthcare providers can do just that and more in minutes.

“Kidney disease is one of the most serious complications of diabetes.

“When your kidneys are damaged by diabetes and/or high blood pressure, they are less able to work effectively.

“Kidney disease has no tell-tale warning signs; a person can lose up to 90 per cent of their kidney functions before experiencing any warning signs,’’ he said.

Owonala, therefore, advised everyone to visit the hospital for a check-up of the kidney.

NAN reports that 850 million people worldwide are now estimated to have kidney diseases from various causes.

Chronic Kidney Diseases (CKD) cause at least 2.4 million deaths per year and are now the 6th fastest growing cause of death.